Thao Off Tour and Other Musical Notes
I'm scrambling to get a table for a guest DJ set at an Italian restaurant/pasta classroom in September. I realize that this statement -- uttered outside of the Bay Area -- may prompt in someone the desire to punch me in the face. But after I explain that Thao Nguyen -- Vietnamese American lead singer of Thao and the Get Down Stay Down and, in my opinion, the nation's leading indie goddess -- will be spinning [1] her favorite songs at said Italian restaurant/pasta classroom, perhaps you will lower that fist and allow me continue. Having recently wrapped a tour promoting her side project Thao + Mirah [2] (with fellow San Francisco-based artist Mirah) and their self-titled album, the Falls Church, VA-raised singer-songwriter also recently composed the music for the Dave Eggers-produced, Matt Damon-narrated documentary American Teacher [3]. My heart, of course, is most loyal to her 2009 album Know Better Learn Faster [4] and 2008's We Brave Bee Stings and All [5].
Thao and the Get Down Stay Down [6] "When We Swam"
I'm steadily creeping toward 30 so it's difficult enough for me to stay abreast of music that is considered to be … good. Once a voracious music collector, I now rely on peers and loved ones to spoon feed me new music because scrolling through Pitchfork just makes my eyes cross and I can no longer muster the energy to plow through the vast amount of Asian American YouTube music videos. Research handicap aside, I still have the ability to be excited about music, even more so when I discover that a critically acclaimed and smug music snob-approved band has Asian American members. How excited? Well, enough to be emotionally distraught that I can't get reservations at the Italian restaurant/pasta classroom DJ set and enough to prepare to wait in line that night to see if I can elbow my way in. On a Monday night.
But luckily, my excitement (excitement, obsession, however you want to say it) isn't limited to Thao. Check out some other fine-sounding Asian Americans below and let this old-timer know who else is on your radar. I'm serious. Compiling this short list was exhausting for me.
The Morning Benders [7] "Virgins"
Best Coast [8] "Gone Again"
We are Trees [9] "Sunrise Sunset"
Rocky Rivera [10] "Slick Talk"
Dumbfoundead [11] "Are We There Yet"